Turmoil and violence have defined the lives of Palestinian people over the last few decades, yet in the midst of the chaos artists live and thrive, creating little-seen work that is a powerful response to their situation. Gannit Ankori's Palestinian Art is the first in-depth English-language assessment of contemporary Palestinian art, and it offers an unprecedented and wholly original overview of this art in all its complexity.

Ankori comprehensively traces the full history and development of Palestinian art, from its roots in folk art and traditional Christian and Islamic painting to the predominance of nationalistic themes and diverse media used today. Drawing on over a decade of extensive research, studio visits, and interviews, Ankori explores the vast oeuvre of prominent contemporary Palestinian artists, navigating between the personal and biographical dimensions of specific artworks and the symbolic meanings embedded within them. She provides detailed interpretations of many works and considers the complex historical, geographical, political, and cultural contexts in which the art was created. Questions of gender, exile, colonialism, postcolonialism, and hybridity are integral to Ankori's investigation as she probes the influence and thematic dominance of issues such as rootedness and displacement in Palestinian art.

Palestinian Art is a fascinating introduction to a virtually unknown visual culture that has been subsumed under the torrent of current political turmoil. A groundbreaking and essential work of art scholarship, Palestinian Art illuminates new and unique facets of the Palestinian cultural identity.

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About the Author:

Gannit Ankori, an associate professor of art history at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, is currently a research associate at the Women's Studies in Religion Program at Harvard Divinity School. She has published and lectured extensively on Palestinian art since 1987, and is the author of numerous articles and two books on Frida Kahlo, including Imaging Her Selves: Frida Kahlo's Poetics of Identity and Fragmentation.

Review:

"Pioneering academic study. . . . What's wonderful about Palestinian Art is that it brings to our attention so many very good artists . . . we learn that they have so much more on their minds than 'the conflict.'" (David B. Green Boston Globe 2006-04-09)

"The excellent Reaktion Books has scored another coup with Palestinian Art - the only work in English on this theme." (The Independent 2006-05-01)

"Ankori guides us fluently through the largely uncharted territory of modern Palestinian art." (Contemporary 2006-05-01)

"This book is an immense contribution towards giving Palestinian art the recognition it merits, both in the context of universal art and as an expression of the Palestinian people's particular experience. . . . The first part of the book gives afascinating glimpse of the many art forms that flourished in historical Palestine. . . . complex and fascinating." (The Jordan Times 2006-06-07)

"Gannit Ankori’s book Palestinian Art, a prime model of art historical research, deviates from the narrow confines of the discipline and must be read as a cultural document . . . and as an expression of an ethical position espoused by a scholar in times of continued occupation. . . . The analysis of the diverse artworks is rich and fascinating because it interweaves the visual with the theoretical and the biographical."

(Afterimage 2006-11-01)

"Provides its readers a documentary-like and cinematic experience while teaching them about the history and culture of a troubled land. . . . Ankori's vision suggest an inclusive method of looking at art. It is a blueprint for writers and readers to study on how writing the cultural history of a nation is possible." (Doris Bittar Al Jadid 2007-06-11)

"This engaging study is the first substantial English-language publication to cover the topic. . . . Her insightful interpretations and analyses of individual works are enriched by numerous high quality color photographs. Ankori does an excellent job of balancing an interpretation of the work of individual artist with placing them in the context of the historical, political, cultural, and symbolic meanings inherent in Palestinian art. . . . Writes in a style that is authoritative yet accessible. . . .This book holds a unique place in the literature is highly recommended." (Judy Dyki ArLIS 2006-11-01)

"Ankori's contribution consists not only of surveying the enrire history of Palestinian fine art . . . but also of providing a historiography of the field that will be invaluable for those who may follow in her footsteps." (David B. Green Jerusalem Report)

"A readable book on Palestinian art. . . . It creates new awareness of the increasingly popular field of Middle Eastern art in general. As there is plenty of political content as well, it provides a good overview of the situation in that benighted region. This is no coffee-table book." (New Strait Times 2007-12-31)

Book Description Reaktion Books, United Kingdom, 2006. Paperback. Condition: New. Language: English . Brand New Book. This book offers an unprecedented and original overview of the history and development of Palestinian art. Experiences of trauma, loss and dispersal have had a profound impact on the lives of Palestinians for many decades. Despite the turmoil, Palestinian artists have continued to create powerful works of art that reflect and transcend contemporary realities even as they tap into the rich and layered sources of Palestinian heritage. They produce distinct and diverse works of art that dismantle the East-West dichotomy, reconfigure national identity and generate an alternative Third Space of creativity. Based on almost two decades of intensive research, countless studio visits and numerous interviews, the author examines the oeuvre of contemporary Palestinian artists both prominent and lesser-known, working in the Palestinian territories, in Israel and in exile. She provides detailed interpretations of the meaning and significance of works of art, as well as a thorough analysis of the complex historical, geographical, political and cultural contexts within which they were created. The book navigates between the personal and biographical dimensions of specific artworks and the collective identity components embedded within them. Questions of gender, exile, colonialism, nationalism, post-colonialism, Orientalism and what Ankori calls Dis-Orientalism are integral to the author s investigation. She also probes the influence and thematic dominance of issues such as rootedness, displacement, fragmentation and hybridity in contemporary Palestinian art. Palestinian Art is a fascinating introduction to a little-known visual culture often subsumed under the torrent of political turmoil. A groundbreaking and essential work of art scholarship, it illuminates new and unique facets of Palestinian cultural identity. Seller Inventory # AAS9781861892591

Book Description Reaktion Books, United Kingdom, 2006. Paperback. Condition: New. Language: English . Brand New Book. This book offers an unprecedented and original overview of the history and development of Palestinian art. Experiences of trauma, loss and dispersal have had a profound impact on the lives of Palestinians for many decades. Despite the turmoil, Palestinian artists have continued to create powerful works of art that reflect and transcend contemporary realities even as they tap into the rich and layered sources of Palestinian heritage. They produce distinct and diverse works of art that dismantle the East-West dichotomy, reconfigure national identity and generate an alternative Third Space of creativity. Based on almost two decades of intensive research, countless studio visits and numerous interviews, the author examines the oeuvre of contemporary Palestinian artists both prominent and lesser-known, working in the Palestinian territories, in Israel and in exile. She provides detailed interpretations of the meaning and significance of works of art, as well as a thorough analysis of the complex historical, geographical, political and cultural contexts within which they were created. The book navigates between the personal and biographical dimensions of specific artworks and the collective identity components embedded within them. Questions of gender, exile, colonialism, nationalism, post-colonialism, Orientalism and what Ankori calls Dis-Orientalism are integral to the author s investigation. She also probes the influence and thematic dominance of issues such as rootedness, displacement, fragmentation and hybridity in contemporary Palestinian art. Palestinian Art is a fascinating introduction to a little-known visual culture often subsumed under the torrent of political turmoil. A groundbreaking and essential work of art scholarship, it illuminates new and unique facets of Palestinian cultural identity. Seller Inventory # AAS9781861892591

Book Description Reaktion Books, United Kingdom, 2006. Paperback. Condition: New. Language: English . This book usually ship within 10-15 business days and we will endeavor to dispatch orders quicker than this where possible. Brand New Book. This book offers an unprecedented and original overview of the history and development of Palestinian art. Experiences of trauma, loss and dispersal have had a profound impact on the lives of Palestinians for many decades. Despite the turmoil, Palestinian artists have continued to create powerful works of art that reflect and transcend contemporary realities even as they tap into the rich and layered sources of Palestinian heritage. They produce distinct and diverse works of art that dismantle the East-West dichotomy, reconfigure national identity and generate an alternative Third Space of creativity. Based on almost two decades of intensive research, countless studio visits and numerous interviews, the author examines the oeuvre of contemporary Palestinian artists both prominent and lesser-known, working in the Palestinian territories, in Israel and in exile. She provides detailed interpretations of the meaning and significance of works of art, as well as a thorough analysis of the complex historical, geographical, political and cultural contexts within which they were created. The book navigates between the personal and biographical dimensions of specific artworks and the collective identity components embedded within them. Questions of gender, exile, colonialism, nationalism, post-colonialism, Orientalism and what Ankori calls Dis-Orientalism are integral to the author s investigation. She also probes the influence and thematic dominance of issues such as rootedness, displacement, fragmentation and hybridity in contemporary Palestinian art. Palestinian Art is a fascinating introduction to a little-known visual culture often subsumed under the torrent of political turmoil. A groundbreaking and essential work of art scholarship, it illuminates new and unique facets of Palestinian cultural identity. Seller Inventory # BTE9781861892591